A Construction Contract is essential for any building, renovation, or repair project. This template defines the work, materials, timeline, and payment terms to protect both the property owner and contractor.
What Is a Construction Contract?
A construction contract formalizes the agreement between a property owner and contractor for building, renovating, or repairing a structure. It specifies exactly what work will be performed, the quality standards, materials to be used, the project timeline, and how payments will be structured.
Without a clear contract, construction projects are prone to disputes over scope, quality, costs, and timelines.
Key Clauses to Include
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Scope of Work — Detailed description of all work to be performed. Reference blueprints, specifications, and project documents as attachments.
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Materials and Specifications — List specific materials, brands, grades, and quality standards. Define who supplies materials and who bears the cost.
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Timeline — Start date, major milestones, substantial completion date, and final completion date. Include provisions for weather delays.
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Payment Schedule — Define payment milestones tied to project phases (foundation, framing, rough-in, finish, completion). Include retainage terms.
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Change Orders — Require written, signed change orders before any work beyond the original scope begins. Define pricing for changes.
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Warranties — Workmanship warranty (typically 1-2 years), manufacturer warranties on materials, and callback procedures.
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Insurance — Require proof of general liability, workers’ compensation, and builder’s risk insurance.
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Lien Waivers — Require lien waivers from the contractor and subcontractors upon payment to protect the property owner.
How to Customize This Template
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Attach detailed specifications — Reference architectural drawings, engineering plans, and material specifications as appendices.
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Define the permitting process — Specify who is responsible for obtaining building permits and scheduling inspections.
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Include a cleanup clause — Define expectations for daily and final site cleanup.
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Set a liquidated damages clause — For time-sensitive projects, define daily penalties for late completion.
How to Send for E-Signature with WPsigner
- Upload — Drag and drop this construction contract into WPsigner
- Add fields — Place signature, date, and milestone acknowledgment fields
- Send — Email a secure link — contractors can sign from any device on the job site
- Track — Monitor signing status from your WordPress dashboard
- Store — Completed contracts are archived with tamper-proof audit trails